UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USAOFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONSPRESS RELEASE

OUR MUSEUM CONSTRUCTION IS PROGRESSING SLOWLY…

DO YOU WANT TO SEE IT COMPLETED?

During its tour of our parishes several years ago, the History and Education Complex Committee very often heard the words: “When we see that construction is under way, we will make our donation.” In several issues of the Ukrainian Orthodox Word since the construction on the complex began in the spring of 2009, we have offered reports on the construction progress with abundant photographs of the grandeur of the main museum building. We have asked for your assistance and informed that the construction progress will continue depending completely on your generosity. The only finances utilized in the construction are those contributions made specifically for that purpose. We do not tap any general church funds for this purpose. We are rapidly approaching the point where our construction will be placed on hold because the contributions are being made at very low levels.

We urge all parishes and individual members of our Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church to step up their efforts in support of this important project. It will not be just a Museum in Memory of Patriarch Mstyslav. The Complex will be the center of religious and cultural education – with a media center and conference rooms to share who and what we are as Ukrainian Orthodox Christians. Our Library will be more available to the academic and general American communities for research and general interest. Our Metropolitan Andrew Kuschak Archive and Research Center will house the history of our Church and nation and we are opening space for various Ukrainian community organizations to store their own archives for availability to historians and researchers. Our exhibit areas will offer to the public unique insights into our own church history, of the Holodomor or Genocidal Famine of 1932-33 and even of the Revolutionary War, which is so much a part of our Metropolia Center and American history.

PLEASE DO NOT DELAY IN SENDING IN YOUR CONTRIBUTION TODAY! IF YOU HAVE ALREADY CONTRIBUTED, PLEASE CONSIDER DOING MORE SO THAT OUR CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS WILL NOT BE STALLED.

WE ASK PARISHES TO MAKE A SPECIAL EFFORT AT FUND-RAISING.

A proud example of such efforts took place at St. Andrew Cathedral of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. The parish’s annual Patron Saint Day was turned into History and Education Complex support day and over $35,000 was contributed by the parish, its affiliated organizations and individuals, with assurances of more to come. This is truly an example worthy of emulation! The members of the cathedral challenge other parishes to match or beat their effort!

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM ALL OUR READERS IN SUPPORT OF THE HISTORY AND EDUCATION COMPLEX.

Construction on the Ukrainian Museum of New Jersey in memory of Patriarch Mstyslav I has continued throughout the summer. The newest photographs displayed on these pages were taken just days before the beginning of hoisting the roof of the building into place. It has been a fascinating experience to follow the construction process. The heavily insulated walls went into place and concrete stucco was applied with a mesh, which will serve as a foundation for the final stucco application, also being applied as you read these words.

Sometimes from photographs it is difficult to get a feeling for the size of the 30,000 square feet building, but please take note of the three pictures from up on the second floor, which give a perspective of size. They are three images of Archbishop Antony taken from the same spot. The Archbishop is in three different positions giving the viewer an impressive idea of the size of the building. The second floor will house the 1800 square feet environmentally controlled exhibit and storage area, an 1800 square feet storage room, a 200 person capacity conference room and 10 (6 @ 400 square feet, 2 @ 200 square feet and 2 @ 300 square feet) exhibit areas – all in addition to 1500 square feet opening in the center allowing the visitor to gaze down upon the first floor 2400 square feet primary exhibit and social area, along with five additional 400 square feet exhibit rooms, another 600 square feet conference room and a 600 square feet audio and video media center. Also on the first floor are a huge exhibit prep room, HEC offices, our new ecclesiastical supply, bookstore and gift shop and the main lobby.

The aerial photographs give a comprehensive view of the entire construction site and the museum’s proximity to the Consistory and Library Center. Please note in the photo of our entire property – minus the three large office buildings on the left – the beauty of the fall colors, which enhance the beauty of our property. The ground level photographs provide good views of the details, which will enhance the exterior of the building. Note that there are no windows through which damaging natural light can affect our collection. We will have state of the art lighting in all areas of the building to properly display the many artifacts we possess.

We have reached a very critical stage in our construction process. The building will be completely closed in for the winter months with two porticos, which are about to be constructed, and we will slowly begin the process of completing the interior of the building. Slowly? Yes, VERY slowly, because we have come nearly to the end of the finances we have had available for construction. We have been able to purchase most of the heating and air-conditioning equipment, but we do NOT have the financial resources to install it. In addition, our plumbing and electrical work CAN proceed through the winter months, IF, we receive contributions to permit it. We remind all our readers that the Historical and Educational Complex is being built with donated funds only. We have not and will not utilize general church funds for this purpose. Therefore, if you have been holding back your contribution until “construction” is under way – as we have heard so often – then NOW is the time to submit it to us. Our goal is to hold our grand opening and dedication of the Historical and Education Complex, which includes the Ukrainian Museum of New Jersey in memory of Patriarch Mstyslav I, the Metropolitan Andrew Kuschak Archive and Research Center, our Library, Cultural Center and much more – in the spring of 2012. Whether or not we meet that goal is completely up to you! PLEASE do not delay in making your contribution, or if you already have contributed, please consider contributing further.

There are still many, many naming opportunities, including major exhibit areas available for sponsorship, as well as smaller sponsorships. Become part of history by contributing your share today. In the next issue of the UOW, we will include a list of the sponsorship contributions, which have been received to date. Won’t you consider joining them so that your name will appear also? We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Ukrainian Museum of New Jersey In Memory of Patriarch Mstyslav IHistory and Education Complex of the UOC of USA

In Memory of Patriarch Mstyslav I

On June 11, 2009 Archbishop Antony, along with local clergy and the faithful, gathered at the crypt of Patriarch Mstyslav I in the Holy Resurrection Mausoleum beneath St. Andrew Memorial Church to remember this larger than life spiritual leader on the 16th anniversary of his falling asleep in the Lord. Those present were reminded of the great respect and power the Patriarch wielded after Ukraine celebrated its independence in 1991. He was the connection between Ukraine and its people beyond Ukraine’s borders. Patriarch Mstyslav made history—he was history. His ceaseless work in building the Metropolia Center through the years was all in honor of the victims of the 1932-33 Holodomor and those who suffered through the aftermath of persecution.

In 1966, when the Museum located beneath the Memorial Church was dedicated, then Archbishop Mstyslav stated: “In opening and dedicating the Memorial Church Museum we rejoice, that God’s providence has enabled us to preserve the treasures of the national-spiritual creativity of our Ukrainian people, especially those, which are of ancient origin…...May all, which is given to us to protect in this museum... be that which strengthens the bonds of present and future generations of our Ukrainian people with our nation’s glorious past. First and foremost, we commit this museum for the utilization and spiritual fortification of our children who have begun their lives beyond the borders of Ukraine.”

It is now that we build this structure in memory of Patriarch Mstyslav. Help make his dream a reality. We are still in need of $2,500,000 to complete and furnish the museum. Our challenges are great, but with the blessings of our Lord, it will happen.

We pray that you generously support this project spiritually and financially according to your means.

The numbers on the plan represent naming opportunities for each Gallery.

UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USAOFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONSPRESS RELEASE

Ukrainian Museum of New Jersey In Memory of Patriarch Mstyslav IHistory and Education Complex of the UOC of USA

Steel Structure Going Up!

On Monday, April 20, 2009 the first beams of steel were erected on the poured concrete footings of the new Museum buildings. The steel structure will be enclosed with prefabricated panels of corrugated steel, insulation and finishing, which are stucco ready on the exterior and drywall ready on the interior. The building committee opted for the panels to save on labor costs.

The new state of the art Museum structure is a 30,000 sq. ft., two story building attached to existing Consistory/Library structure. The first floor plan includes a 2,650 sq ft grand gallery, five 400 sq. ft. galleries, a 550 sq. ft. theatre and media center, an 845 sq. ft. conference and meeting room, as well as office space and a 1525 sq. ft. exhibit preparation area.

The grand staircase leads to the second floor with its 12 additional galleries totaling 4350 sq. ft. and an additional 1400 sq. ft. environmentally controlled exhibit and storage area surrounding an open center space which overlooks the grand gallery. There is also an 1100 sq. ft. conference/presentation room on this floor, as well as an 1850 sq. ft. museum storage facility.

The plans also incorporate a new space for the St. Andrew Church Goods and Bookstore and Museum Shop. The existing bookstore space will be converted into a reading and media room for patrons of the St. Sophia Library.

MANY MORE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES EXIST!

To become a contributing benefactor, founder or patron of the Museum, or to sponsor a gallery, please contact Dr. Steven Sivulich at (412) 389-1723 to discuss investment opportunities.